Ali believes that knowledge has to be nurtured from what man sees and understands. He claims to reflect on the Quranic verses, connecting them with nature.
Samar Ali, TwoCircles.net
Kerala: Long before Ali Manikfan was known in the world, he would toil over his research and unveil wonders. This he would do by keeping himself away from the mainstream world. After decades of work, this year he was honoured with the Padma Shri award, the fourth-highest civilian award in India.
Murad Gandavaru Ali Manikfan, 82, from the Minicoy Island of Lakshadweep, is a marine researcher, ecologist, shipbuilder, agriculture researcher, and a polyglot. He has had no formal education. Being awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India has caused no big change in Manikfan’s simple and easy-going life.
“People have been calling me after hearing about the award. We discuss different matters. Nothing much is happening,” Ali Manikfan told TwoCircles.net.
Man of wonders
The 82-year-old wonder man spends his leisure days reading over several languages he has expertise in, including French, German, Latin, Sinhalese, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Tamil, Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam, and English. His vast knowledge in marine biology, agriculture, horticulture, geography, shipbuilding, social science, and astronomy amuses anyone knowing it’s completely the result of his effort after being dropped out of school.
Ali believes that knowledge has to be nurtured from what man sees and understands. He claims to reflect on the Quranic verses, connecting them with nature.
Manikfan lives in Olavanna, a town in the Kozhikode district of the southern Indian state of Kerala. His family had sent him to Kerala for studies but he dropped out after 5th standard. Deciding not to pursue formal education, Manikfan went back to his hometown in the Lakshadweep islands.
People describe Manikfan as a sharp observer. Being an island folk, Manikfan was fascinated by the fish. His fascination and knowledge about the fish can be gleaned from the fact that a fish species is named after Manikfan, Abudefduf Manikfan, which he discovered while working at the Central Marine Fisheries Institute, under the marine biologist Dr Santhappan.
Manikfan is also known for rebuilding an old replica ship in Oman, the Sohar (named after the ship in which the ‘Alif Laila’s’ hero Sindbad travelled), using ancient Divehi technology. A team of thirty workers, under the supervision of Ali, completed the work using entirely natural substances – aini wood, coconut husk, and coir.
Inspired by nature
Ali’s interest in acquiring wisdom from nature reflected in every field has worked in. He would urge for original and pure techniques, giving importance to traditional rules and skills. The ‘non-aggressive’ agricultural methods he follows in his land at Valliyur, Tamil Nadu, is part of this. Experimenting with his own methods while considering the laws of nature makes Ali Manikfan a living legend of the age.
Because of his love for nature, Ali expresses concern over the constructions taking place over in the Lakshadweep islands.
“Dweep is formed by corals. As long as the reefs remain, dweep will also remain. Then why are they doing constructions in its name? It is destruction in the name of development,” reacted Ali over the concrete constructions in Lakshadweep.
Lunar calendar over solar
Ali Manikfan’s current research is on creating a unified Hijri calendar.
“Muslims all over the world perform special weekly prayers on the same day (Friday). Then why aren’t we doing the same with Eid prayers?” he says.
Ali is experimenting with developing a single point in the middle of the world, focusing on where the moon appears first. The visibility of the moon is the method by which Islamic calendars calculate days. His effort is to construct a lunar calendar, which Ali claims ‘would be more accurate.’
Manikfan believes in spending each day acquiring new knowledge. He covers a wide range of fields, with a spontaneous quest for something new.
“We have come to this world to learn and attain knowledge. That makes humans different from other creatures,” says Manikfan. He believes in keenly observing one’s surroundings and learning in this unique manner.
Talking about receiving the Padma Shri, Ali calls it a “positive aspect that will draw light towards the lives and wonders of the minority and marginalized communities.”